Planning for the cooler temps...
 

I'm planning on using my bike more this winter (as in for the first time). I will have to update my clothing, as most of my cold weather gear is from my days as a ped/bus rider. From reading, I just need to layer depending on temps and my own comfort level- which will be a trial and error thing.

The problem areas will be the feet, hands, and face- feet is solved by adding more socks and hands with another layer of glove/mitten. Which leaves the face. I wear glasses, and my experiments with ski masks or anything that covers my nose results in fogged glasses.

Any ideas?

I have no earthly idea what you mean when you say "cooler temps" and you haven't filled out the location in your profile, so give us an idea...

The next thing I'd recommend is reading some of the articles at www.icebike.com and pretty much avoid anything cotton. When you ride a bike, there's always a wind chill. Not to mention avoiding getting wet and going hypothermic. Too little ventilation, and you overheat... too much, and you get soaked.

+1 Cooler temps for Miami or Edmonton?

Other than that, when I switched from bus/ped to cycling through our Great Lakes winters, all of the winter wear I already owned was too damned hot. That first winter, I made do with layers of autumn/spring stuff that I already owned. Even then, my knee-jerk reaction to dressing for cold weather frequently had me basting in my own juices from the heat. These days I use cycling-specific stuff, and find it much easier to manage.

I still have, and haven't worn in five years, all the heavy outerwear I used when I waited in snowdrifts for buses to come.

Where I live it gets into the teens (F) and, very occasionally, the single digits. I don't ride when it's in the single digits, but for the colder temps a balaclava is essential. I take off my glasses when it's very cold and use ski goggles (keep the glasses in a case in my pannier). This might not be possible if your vision requires glasses at all times. The ski goggles prevent my eyeballs from freezing, especially when the wind's blowing.

Location is Tulsa. So not as cold as Buffalo, but colder than Miami.

Last winter saw heavier than normal snow- usually we get more sleet and freezing rain than snow. And wind chills were breaking records last winter as well, negative double digits.

My main point of this thread was not about clothing, but head/face covering that minimizes or prevents my glasses fogging up.

Removal of glasses is not possible- without them, I'm legally blind.

Same here. I wear a balaclava and the only time I seem to have a problem with my glasses fogging up is when I have to stop, for example a red light.

Anti-fog solutions for ski masks and swim goggles should help with the fogging. Pulling the glasses away from the face at red lights should also help.

Portland doesn't get too cold most of the winter, but on the coldest days I use a wool scarf wrapped loosely around in front of my face. Blocks the wind and keeps some of the warmth in, but doesn't lead to fogging up the glasses. I've never had a problem with feet feeling cold. On occasion I've worn wool socks. Other people complain of cold feet, so it's probably a personal thing.

For hands I like wool gloves. They're cheap and are warm even when wet. I keep a second pair in my office, so if they get wet I have a dry pair for the ride home. I usually wear a liner underneath that helps block the wind.

I used to work out side year round, mostly in the middle of the night. I also wear glasses and the only good solution I found was to use a head gaiter and leave my nose uncovered. This works as long as you aren't going to be out side for hours at a time because at cooler temps, especially if it is wet, the tip of your nose can get frost bite. If you are really worried about your nose and it is gonna be really cold you can always get some prescription inserts for ski goggles which will take care of the fogging issue. Example here: http://www.ski-prescription.com/

Last winter I wore contacts. My eyes didn't like those too much.

This year I'm thinking about getting this combination:

Belle X-9 OTG Goggle
Talus Outdoor Technologies ColdAvenger Expedition Balaclava

For my hands, I'm getting something like this, because no matter what I did, my fingers got cold after 30 minutes or so:

Scooter Mitt

I bought a thin silk balaclava, turned out it's way too much except in the extreme coldest weathers around here. In warmer weather I rely on a pair of ear flaps combined with 1-2 merino wool tubes as needed. The tubes are wonderful, they can be used as a cap, bandana, scarf, neck tube, neck tube covering your chin etc.

--J

I have some pretty hefty wool socks for the cold. A neck cover that you can bring up to cover your mouth too.

I wear glasses and find the balaclava works adequately for me. I have some issues with fogging, but generally as long as I'm moving it's okay. When I stop moving I pull the balaclava down off my nose and mouth and then the glasses don't fog up. It sounds like a pain but becomes second nature.

I have a balaclava that is wonderful, but I only use it on temps below 20. Above that and it's too much. I use a headband to keep my ears warm between about 40 and 20. I've found I'm generally cold for the first mile or two, but after that I'm trying to figure out how to stop sweating.

Same with mittens and boots. I switch to them below 20 degrees. Above that and it's my regular full-finger cycling gloves and shoes.

I generally don't have a problem with my goggles fogging as long as it's above 0 and I keep moving. Things tend to fog up when I stop, though. If you're using regular glasses you're probably going to get a lot better ventilation anyway so it may not even be an issue for you.

I haven't figured out a solution to my goggles icing up on the inside when it's below 0. After about four or five miles I end up completely removing them due to my vision being completely blocked. By that time, though, I usually am warm enough that it's not too bad, even when the wind is whipping. I just figure it's a test of my fortitude.

Tulsa shouldn't be too bad a place to commute all winter. One key is to keep riding all fall and gradually adapt to the cold. That way it's not a sudden shock to the system. You'll actually be surprised how little extra gear you need to ride when it's cold.

Don't over dress. You should be cold, not freezing when you start your ride, you will heat up quick. Hands are easy, I have ski gloves with liners. I my bike gloves for padding and wear the liners over them down to about 40, below 40 I wear the outer shell of the glove. My feet are the hardest thing. I bought some shoe covers and wool socks that make it tolerable down to mid 30's. I'll have to switch to pedals to platforms and wear hiking boots below that. Ear covers start in the 30's, face mask and goggles when frostbite is a danger.

Thank you for the links.
I think the goggles might be an affordable solution for me. I do have a balaclava, I haven't had to use it yet. I did use the heat exchanger mask a couple of times though. I went through the last 2 winters with a neck gaitor.

I don't usually wear anything under my helmet, I did the Sheldon Brown winter helmet modification (taping the vents), I find that as a result I don't feel a need for anything under my helmet.

I like the scooter mitts, they look like they might work well with trekking bars. I had thought of getting some pogies, however, I hadn't found any that I thought would work with my trekking bars. Currently I use wind/waterproof gloves and or mittens depending on the temps.

Also, I've discussed what to wear for commuting on my blog. There are two articles in particular (by me and another author) that give recommendations based on temerature. I'm finding this season that I am a little chillier than when I wrote that, so I tend to put on the extra layers at about 5 degrees warmer than the cutoffs in the article. Your mileage may vary.

A thin balaclava should work for you, you'll be much warmer in it than you think. If you get one that can be worn with the bottom portion folded up you'll have more flexibility. Covering all the gaps makes me feel warmer, the gaps between my sleeves and gloves, pants legs and socks etc... always makes me feel colder.

I had lasik done. no more glasses.

Vision Correction
 

I have the same problem as you. Two solutions (both of which are not inexpensive) are contact lenses for the ride or prescription ski goggles. I know that this sounds like a pain.

The third possibility would be a pair of smaller framed glasses that you can wear within ski goggles or shop protective goggles (not the overly ventillated ones, or your eyes will tear).

Frustrating...

I have a lavawool mask. The nose part is open and the mouth part is mesh allowing me to breathe easier. I also have a fleece lined bandana. You look like a bandit which is kinda cool and it protects your face pretty well. You can adjust it over or under your nose if your glasses begin to fog.